The information posted below is in no way intended to replace professional medical advice.
Diabetes care is specific and the information below may not apply to you.
People posting to this list likely have diabetes, but probably do not have a medical background.
Always speak with your healthcare team prior to making any changes regarding diabetes treatment.

Support-Group Member Asks:

Hello all! I have two questions. I thought I was having A1C tests done at my doctor, but now I'm not sure. The first time I had it done, last July, when I found out that I'm diabetic, the number was 200. A few weeks ago, when I was tested again, it was 100 and they told me that was normal and was great Is that a different type of A1C?

My second question is about fevers. Will a fever cause your blood sugar to rise? Right now I am running a fever of just under 100 degress and even though it is 7:30PM and I haven't eaten since noon, my blood sugar was 210! It hasn't been that high since I found out about my diabetes. I have been fighting a sinus infection, an ear infection and tonsilitis for about a week now. I've had a sore throat for the last 10 days. I went to the doctor and am on antibiotics, but tonight is the first time I have run a fever, so I'm not sure.

Thanks in advance for the info!

Support-Group Member Responds:

I'm not a doctor but I've been diagnosed for 6 years, maintain tight
control and my last hgA1c was 5.8. I maintain weekly contact with my
health care team and have a laymen's knowledge of the disease and
various tests revolving around it. My guess would be that the 200/100
numbers your doctor is giving you are fasting blood sugars. A1c results
are expressed as a percenteage of glycated hemoglobin in your blood
cells. Talk to your doctor and ask him to be more specific about which
tests he is giving you and their results.

As for the fever...this question came up on a forum I belong to and this
is what the moderator had to say about it:

Actually, when on insulin, you SHOULD have a sick day plan provided by
your physician. I probably would have cut back on my insulin a tad, too,
but here's what the plan says (and remember that YOUR doctor's plan may
be different).

Here's what MINE says:

Short term illnesses (cold, flu, or virus) may cause the diabetic
patient's blood sugar to go out of control. This can be avoided by
following the guidelines listed below:

1 - ALWAYS TAKE YOUR INSULIN OR ORAL HYPOGLYCEMIC AGENT. Whenever the
body is under any physical or emotional stress, blood sugar levels will
increase. Due to this, diabetics must continue to take their insulin or
oral medication when sick.

2 - TEST YOUR URINE FOR SUGAR AND KETONES BEFORE EACH MEAL AND BEDTIME.
Check the double voided urine specimen. If you're not prepared for this
step, be sure to be checking that blood sugar level via fingerstick.
Contact your doctor if the test results are not normal. He may ask you
to make changes in your insulin dosage.

3 ~ TAKE LIQUIDS EVERY HOUR TO AVOID DEHYDRATION. High blood sugar,
fever, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting can lead to dehyrdation. The
symptoms are: dry mouth, thirst, dry skin, decreased urination, or
fever. Prevent dehydration by drinking 1 cup of water every hour while
awake.

4 ~ CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF THE ILLNESS LASTS MORE THAN 2 DAYS.

5 ~ RECORD INFORMATION FOR YOUR DOCTOR so that your illness can be
easily treated. Write down:

How long have you been sick?

The symptoms - how you feel.

Temperature

Urine sugar and ketones test results

Blood sugar results

Time and amounts of last insulin injection and usual dosage

Pharmacy phone numbers

Medical allergies

FOOD INTAKE DURING ILLNESS:

Even though diabetics do not feel like eating their regular foods while
ill, they must eat easy to tolerate foods. If insulin is taken without
any food intake, a low blood sugar reaction may occur.